A comparison of the message of Acts transmitted by Codez Bezae with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text, represented by Codex Vaticanus. For each section of Acts, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Alexandrian manuscripts, followed by a critical apparatus and, finally, a commentary that explores the differences in the message of the two texts. It is concluded that the Bezan text, with its interest in internal Jewish affairs and its focus on the struggles of the early disciples to free themselves from their traditional Jewish expectations and to achieve, despite their mistakes, a more accurate understanding of their master's teaching, is the earlier of the two texts. LNTS 302

The third volume in the four-volume commentary on the Book of Acts, this work presents a fresh look at the text of Codex Bezae and compares its message with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text of which Codex Vaticanus is taken as a representative. It deals with Acts 13.1-18.23, the chapters that cover the first two stages of the mission to the Gentiles, with the intervening meeting in Jerusalem (14.28-15.41). For each section, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Vaticanus manuscripts, followed by a full critical apparatus which deals with more technical matters, and finally, a commentary which explores in detail the differences in the message of the two texts. Of particular interest in this part of Acts are the person of Paul and the unfolding of his character and theology. It is found that in the Bezan text Luke portrays him as a fallible disciple of Jesus who, despite his powerful enthusiasm, is hindered by his traditional Jewish understanding from fully carrying out the mission entrusted to him in these first stages. The conclusion is drawn that the portrait of an exemplary hero in the Alexandrian text is a later modification of the flawed picture.

"This final volume in the four-volume commentary, The Message of Acts in Codex Bezae, continues the comparison of the message of Acts transmitted by Codex Bezae with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text, represented by Codex Vaticanus. For each section of Acts, there is a side by side translation of the Bezan and Alexandrian manuscripts, followed by a critical apparatus and, finally, a commentary that explores the variations in the message of the two texts. Working from this strong methodological foundation Jenny Read-Heimerdinger and Josep Rius-Camps conclude that the Bezan text is the earlier of the two. In the process they provide an illuminating and comprehensive guide to the Acts of the Apostles." --Book Jacket.

This is the final volume in the justifiably lauded four-volume commentary on the Book of Acts, presenting a fresh look at the text of Codex Bezae and comparing its message with that of the more familiar Alexandrian text - of which the Codex Vaticanus is taken as a representative. Where Codex Bezae is lacunary (after 22.29), other manuscripts that often support Bezan readings elsewhere are employed. Although based on the Greek text, the commentary aims to be accessible to those who are not familiar with Greek. It is intended to publish the entire Greek text of Codex Bezae following the publication of this fourth volume. The fourth volume addresses Acts 18.24-28.31, the chapters that cover the trial of Paul and the last stage of the mission to the Gentiles, culminating in Paul's unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome. For each section, there is a side by side translation of the Vaticanus and Bezan manuscripts (or related alternatives after 22.29), followed by a full critical apparatus which deals with more technical matters, and finally, a commentary which explores in detail the differences in the message of the two texts. Of particular interest in this part of Acts is the evaluation made by the author of Paul's defence at his successive trials which, it is argued, is considerably less favourable than is commonly assumed.

This bibliography is a comprehensive listing of books, facsimiles, collations and articles relating to some 3,500 Greek New Testament manuscripts, including references to photographic plates and albums. These are divided into the conventional categories of papyri, majuscules, minuscules and lectionaries, as classified in the current Gregory-Aland register. This third revised edition supersedes the two previous editions. Entries from those earlier editions and from three supplements, published as articles in Novum Testamentum, as well as newly published material, are to be found here. The author is grateful for the help of editor Barbara Cangemi.

The essays in this volume summarize an international research project on early Christian citations from Israel’s scriptures. These quotations are not only theologically significant but are also part of the textual history of the Septuagint and adjacent textual traditions of the Greek and Hebrew Old Testament. The essays discuss relevant manuscripts (Bible codices, papyri, etc.) up to the fifth century, signs and marginal notes (e.g., the diplé) that were used in the ancient scriptoria, and the specifics of the reception history in early Christianity from Matthew to 1 Peter and from the apostolic fathers to Theophilos of Antioch. The contributors are Felix Albrecht, Ronald H. van der Bergh, Heinz-Josef Fabry, Kerstin Heider, Martin Karrer, Christin Klein, Arie van der Kooij, Siegfried Kreuzer, Horacio E. Lona, Martin Meiser, Maarten J. J. Menken, Matthias Millard, Darius Müller, Ferdinand R. Prostmeier, Alexander Stokowski, Martin Vahrenhorst, Christiane Veldboer, and Johannes de Vries.

This volume is the first complete English translation of the Codex Bezae version of Luke and Acts.

Perspectives on New Testament Textual Criticism, Volume 2, with articles published during 2006-2017, treats many aspects of New Testament textual criticism, emphasizing the criteria for constructing the earliest attainable text, and extracting stories told by “rejected” variants that illuminate issues in the early Christian churches.

The essays in this volume, offered to Dr. Jenny Read-Heimerdinger on the occasion of her 70th birthday, cover subjects in New Testament textual criticism that are central to her research. In particular, the volume contains text critical studies of the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the early testimony of New Testament Greek and Coptic manuscripts, scribal tendencies in the first centuries, and linguistic approaches to textual criticism.